DailySun
Pretoria – The controversial appointment of Thembi Nkadimeng (formerly Simelani) as Justice Minister has reached an unexpected resolution following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement on Tuesday evening concerning a reshuffle in his GNU Cabinet.
Nkadimeng has been implicated in allegations of possibly benefiting from kickbacks linked to the now-defunct VBS mutual bank, which is currently under investigation.
During the Cabinet reshuffle announcement, President Ramaphosa noted that to ensure the Cabinet’s efficacy in fulfilling its duties and in accordance with section 91(2) of the Constitution, he has enacted the following changes to the national executive:
- Mmamoloko Tryphosa Kubayi, who has been serving as the Minister of Human Settlements, is now appointed as the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development.
- Thembi Nkadimeng, who was previously the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, will now assume the role of Minister of Human Settlements.
- Furthermore, in line with section 93(1)(a) of the Constitution,
- Phumzile Mgcina has been appointed as the Deputy Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, after serving as the Deputy Minister of Labour and Employment.
- Judith Nemadzinga-Tshabalala has been designated as the Deputy Minister of Employment and Labour, moving from her previous position as Deputy Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources.
President Ramaphosa stated, “The changes to the national executive are effective immediately.”
“I wish these members of the national executive all the best in their new roles.”
Minister Nkadimeng has denied any wrongdoing in relation to the VBS issue.
Nevertheless, she admits to having taken out a loan exceeding half a million rand from a firm involved in the illegal investment of R349 million into VBS Mutual Bank by the Polokwane Municipality during her tenure as mayor in 2016.
Nkadimeng claims that she has fully repaid the loan.
